About Exit Funeral Services
Exit Funeral Services offer affordable and individualised Funeral and Cremation services.
Exit Funeral Services has been an established business for five years. Gary and Diane purchased the business in 2018, because they saw the value in offering people an alternative to costly, and often very set-in-their-way funerals that can end up feeling impersonal. Exit Funeral Services offers a unique service that is affordable through eco-friendly caskets and a crematorium service. Exit Funeral Services also carry out all paperwork for the client, allowing them to concentrate on what really matters during what can be a tumultuous time.
At Exit Funeral Services we believe each and every person is unique and so deserves a unique send-off that will not financially cripple the family.
Exit Funeral Services offer a modern take on funeral services. We have five main services that we provide; we offer a direct cremation service or a intimate service where close family can say their goodbyes and write messages on the casket, and we also offer a service where you can call the shots and create a personalised in which you can celebrate the life of someone lost your way, with family and friends.
Gary Shaw - Funeral Director
Gary has a background in joinery, as the previous owner of Kitchens for Less for over 20 years. Gary firmly believes that funerals should be an affordable process for all those involved, particularly the remaining family. He is proud to say Exit Funeral Services offer a service that allows people to be as unique and individual as they want when celebrating the life of someone lost, without it breaking the bank.
Gary realises that it can often be a tumultuous and stressful time for families and so finds it rewarding to be able to help people through that difficult time by completing a lot of the necessary paperwork on their behalf. Helping people through Exit Funeral Services has been a rewarding and enriching experience. Not only through creating handmade caskets for people who have passed, but through helping people to celebrate a life in their own special and unique ways.
Diane Shaw - Mortician
Previously I've been working at Dunedin Hospital for over 30 years in many different roles. My final role with the DHB started over 20 years ago and was as the Charge Mortician in the hospital mortuary. I loved this position as it was such an honour to be part of helping families get answers about their loved one's death through the postmortem examination. I was involved in forensic, paediatric and routine post mortems working with an awesome team of professionals. I gained my QTA certificates in 2001 and received an extra award for gaining the highest mark in New Zealand.
I found working with the deceased very peaceful and a huge privilege. Now working on the funeral side of the industry,I still feel the same. It is nice to be able to make the funeral side of things a little less daunting for our families. We are not the "suit and tie" type of funeral home, that option is already out there. We are a bit more relaxed but still care immensely about how we help the families that choose to come to us. Here at Exit Funerals we treat all our deceased people as we would our own family members. We are guided by what the family want to do for their loved one, and we aim to make this part of the process as easy as possible, but still with dignity, care and compassion.
Barry Johnson - Casual Funeral Assistant
I am married to Jan and we have 2 adult children and 3 Grand Children. I have recently retired after being in business for more than 40 years, predominately in the building Industry. The last eleven years as the Managing Director of Fisher Windows Otago here in Dunedin. I have exceptional interpersonal and people skills and pride myself in my ability to communicate and work well with people from all walks of life. I have a strong belief in Whanau/family along with high ethical and moral values. I enjoy meeting people and am involved with The Island Park Golf Club at a committee level. I have lived in Otago all my life and am looking forward being part of the Exit Funeral Services team helping people in their time of need. My casual postion allows me the best of both worlds with being retired but also allowing me to keep in contact with people.
Julia Cairns - Funeral Director
I’m a qualified primary school teacher with experience teaching in New Zealand and overseas in China.
I’ve spent the past year working as a funeral director, a role I’m genuinely passionate about and intend to continue in for many years to come. This work allows me to support and care for families during one of the most challenging times in their lives. I enjoy working closely with families, paying attention to the finer details, and making thoughtful adjustments to ensure everything feels right and personal for their loved one and for them as a family.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with family and exploring our beautiful country.
Paul Allen - Funeral Director
Paul Allen is a singer-songwriter, photographer, poet, and visual artist, based in Ōtepoti Dunedin, New Zealand. With reflective lyric style, his original songs are from the heart and soul drawing on observations of the world around him. Genre ranges from acoustic folk to rock, EDM and ambient house. Paul is often seen collaborating with other local artists around Dunedin. I am also a keen photographer often seen supporting events and other artists.
English born but a proud Kiwi passionate about Dunedin City and the Otago region and am committed to personally promoting and developing the people, the environment and the opportunities that are contained within this region.
Looking after people, providing manaakitanga when they are dealing with the loss of a loved one requires empathy and care while being professional. My wish is to make sure that people receive the support and care needed to work through the process to do with funeral arrangements.
Paul is also a Justice of the Peace, as such can witness signatures on documents, certify copies of documents, take oaths, declarations, affidavits or affirmations, and can confirm identity. This is a free service but strictly by appointment only.